MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Google has named Middletown the 2013 eCity for Rhode Island, designating it one of “the new digital capitals of America.”

The eCity Awards recognize the strongest online business community in each state. The company looks for places where businesses use the Web effectively to connect with new and existing customers and their local community, according to a release.

“On behalf of the Town of Middletown, I want to express our gratitude to Google for your recognition of our town and its vibrant business community,” said Mayor Shawn J. Brown in a statement. “Middletown will continue to support the growth of e-commerce opportunities for local businesses through promotion of improved digital infrastructure, as well as ongoing implementation of our Virtual Town Hall, which makes many town hall functions and information available to businesses and residents via the Web, 24/7.”

Google and research firm Ipsos use a variety of metrics in evaluating cities and towns for the eCity Awards, including the likelihood of small businesses to have a website, blog or social media presence, the release said.

Get the most up-to-date data on the Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts business community from the PBN List Center. Download and purchase PBN Lists as well as the complete Book of Lists in Excel format.